Report: 7-foot gator stopped plane from landing on airport's runway

Airport officials spotted a 7-foot gator very close to the main runway at the Punta Gorda Airport -- just as a commercial jet was due to arrive, according to a news release from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.

So an agriculture detective was called to the airport by security who found the gator about 30-feet away and heading in the direction of the main runway.

The detective managed to drive the wandering gator back from the flight line, with the assistance of an FWC officer and airport security officer, who worked on getting the gator's attention, the report stated.

This maneuver allowed the detective to sneak up on the gator and get his hands around its mouth and then tape it shut.

FWC officers relocated the gator to another area...far away from the airport.